Mel Parnell vs. Tony Von Fricken — Career Comparison

Mel Parnell built a career as a starting pitcher and Tony Von Fricken as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Mel Parnell posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 3.5 and WHIP 1.413 compared to 10.13 and 3.875 for Tony Von Fricken. By the career numbers, Mel Parnell had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.